Sidharth Malhotra Gets Traditional Maori Design Tattoo in New Zealand

Bollywood actor Sidharth Malhotra got a traditional Maori design temporarily inked on his forearm at The National Tattoo Museum of New Zealand here.

Sidharth’s intention behind getting inked was to learn more about the country’s Maori culture. And what was more interesting was that he didn’t get his tattoo at a shop or parlour – it was done at a tattoo museum, the interiors of which are done interestingly in a barrage of images of traditional, contemporary and elaborate coloured tattoos.

Sidharth has recently been appointed as the Indian ambassador of Tourism New Zealand.

Maori tattoo artist Steve Maddock – who started the museum – took Sidharth around the museum, sharing tales about the stories behind the traditional Maori moko (tattoo).

“The stories behind the traditional Maori moko are fascinating. The tattoo museum was a very interesting place. I loved the strong tribal affiliations of Maori moko and the complexities of their designs. It is amazing how a tattoo can tell a complete story about the person who wears the artwork,” Sidharth told IANS.

The ta moko is considered as a treasure to the Maoris, as it is said to contain messages specific to the wearer and tells the story of the wearer’s family, tribal affiliations and their placing within social structures.

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